Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump is asking for help from the New York state’s appeals court in his ongoing fraud case. He took to Truth Social, his preferred platform, to vent his frustrations about the trial, which he claims has become intertwined with “a rat’s nest of New York Democrat corruption.” According to Mr. Trump, the case should have been directed to the commercial division of the state court system, a place where judges supposedly have a better understanding of valuations and real estate. In his colorful words, Mr. Trump argued that the “Trump Hating Judge” lacked this understanding and appealed for immediate intervention from the Appellant Division.
Trump demands appeals court to intervene in civil case 'now' https://t.co/EMbayiKu4G
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 5, 2023
The former president is appealing a ruling by Judge Aaron Engeron, who found him liable on some fraud claims brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. While a trial on other claims and damages is currently underway, Mr. Trump and his legal team wasted no time in filing an appeal on the third day of the trial. Attorney General James alleges that Mr. Trump and his business repeatedly overvalued properties to secure more favorable loans and insurance policies. However, the Trump camp maintains that the valuations were reasonable for these prime properties and that Ms. James simply misunderstands how real estate works. The trial involves questioning of Donald Bender, an accountant who claims that the Trump Organization did not always provide enough documents for accurate financial statements.
When the trial began, Mr. Trump attended in person for the first three days. However, he then made a quick exit to his Florida residence after the lunch break on Wednesday, prompting Ms. James to declare that “The Donald Trump show is over.” The trial is expected to continue until December, with high stakes for both parties involved. Whether the appeals court will intervene and how the case will ultimately unfold remains to be seen.
